Page 46 of Bloodhunter

“Come,” the captain said. “They’re waiting for you. I putthem in my office.”

“Thanks, Captain.”

“Frank,” he offered, gruffly.

He led me down the hall, through a large, busy room, andfinally, pushed open the door to his office. “I’ll give you a few minutes,” hesaid. “Then we need to talk.”

Before I could say a word, the supernats converged upon me,and the captain—Frank—backed out of the room and closed the door.

“What happened?” Miriam asked. She grasped my arms andstared up at me, frowning. “You look like hell.”

“I’m fine.” I glanced around at the three of them. They wereall there with the exception of Angus—who was still in a cell—and Shane Copas.“The captain wants to hire me, so we’re good. We’re okay.”

“What do you mean, hire you?” Clayton asked.

I glanced at Rhys, who leaned against the captain’s desk. Heoffered me a smile, which I returned.

“Rhys told him I was a hunter,” I said. “And he wants tohire me to catch vampires.”

“You could have told us you’d talked to him,” Miriamgrouched, frowning at Rhys.

He ignored her. “One vampire in particular. The one who killedhis niece.”

“We haven’t spoken about particulars yet,” I said.

“You didn’t mention the foam or the attack, did you?” Miriamasked.

“Of course not. I’m not an idiot.”

“You were bitten,” Clayton said. “You need to go to thehospital.”

I glanced his way. It was hard to meet his stare, because Isaw myself wrapped around his body with my tongue in his mouth every time Ilooked at him. “I was patched up. I’m okay.”

“Angus has been arrested.” Miriam pursed her lips. “Not thatyou asked.”

“Because I already know,” I said. “Captain Crawford told me.I’ll bargain for his release.”

The captain opened the door and stuck his head in. “Ready?”

“Yes,” I said. “Come in.”

I reached out to squeeze Miriam’s arm, then turned to give Rhysa nod of thanks. Finally, I swallowed hard and with my stare on his chin, Ismiled at Clayton. “Thank you all for being here. It means…everything to me.”

“Of course we’re here,” Miriam told me. “You’re family,darling.”

I glanced at Clayton and felt my face heat. Maybe notfamily,exactly.

“Don’t keep her long.” Rhys shook the captain’s hand. “She’sworn out.”

Frank gave him a quick nod. “I only need a few minutes.”

“We’ll be just outside,” Miriam said.

“You two go on home,” Rhys told Miriam and Clayton. “I’lldrive her back to Ang’s place when Frank’s done with her.”

They continued debating as they stepped out of the room andclosed the door, but I had no doubt that at least one of them would be waitingfor me when I left the captain’s office.

“You’re looking misty-eyed.” Frank motioned me into a chairin front of his desk.